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The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1869483894629203968 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Isike, Christopher |
| author_browse | Isike, Christopher |
| author_facet | Isike, Christopher |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/108525 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:06:15.242Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/108525 The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Isike, Christopher lebogangmosia1@gmail.com Mosia, Lebogang UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Economic diplomacy Preferential trade agreements African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) US-SA Relations Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025. Between 2024 and 2025, we have witnessed an extreme breakdown in United States and South Africa diplomatic relations in contemporary history. This has raised concerns regarding the key fundamental assertions of developmental and neo liberal scholars, who argue that the existence of a trade agreement, whether a Free Trade Agreement or a Preferential Trade Agreement, will by its very nature increase cooperation and strengthen relations between countries. The diplomatic breakdown between the United States and South Africa therefore compels us to analyse the effectiveness of Preferential Trade Agreements (PTA) in strengthening economic relations, by examining the United States and South Africa partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The paper employs a qualitative research methodology to assess existing literature and key theories of international relations and diplomacy. It examines the realist and liberalist schools of thought on the role of the key players, namely the state and non-state institutions. These theories also explore the tools, instruments, and processes used to strengthen economic diplomatic relations. In addition, dependency theory is applied to understand the North South relations that appear to define the relationship between the United States and South Africa. It is also important to evaluate the history of United States and South Africa relations through different phases and major international events. The paper further examines the nature of the international system and the positions of the two main players within it. The current global shift from West to East has had an impact on how these states relate to one another. The study also considers other major players such as China, the European Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area as comparative case studies. Lastly, the paper concludes by acknowledging the strength of the Preferential Trade Agreement based on economic trends and impact, while recognising its shortcomings in strengthening diplomatic relations. Recommendations are offered, including reform of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the pursuit of a bilateral trade agreement, and increased involvement of non-state actors. Key words Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), Free Trade Agreement (FTA), African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), Economic Diplomacy, US-SA Relations Political Sciences MA (Diplomatic Studies) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities None 2026-02-20T10:11:46Z 2026-02-20T10:11:46Z 2026-05-10 2025-10-31 Mini Dissertation * A2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108525 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Economic diplomacy Preferential trade agreements African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) US-SA Relations The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) |
| title | The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) |
| title_full | The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) |
| title_fullStr | The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) |
| title_short | The effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy: US–SA partnership under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) |
| title_sort | effectiveness of preferential trade agreements in strengthening economic diplomacy us sa partnership under the african growth and opportunity act agoa |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Economic diplomacy Preferential trade agreements African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) US-SA Relations |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108525 |